Should I Give My Child The Flu Shot?

Question #11, November 2006

With flu season on our heels,   to immunize or not to immunize against influenza is the question on many parents's minds:

Hi Dr. Gwenn,

My pediatrician has recommended that my 3 year old son receive the flu shot. He has gotten a shot every year since he was born but I was told that this year - because of his age - the shot will include mercury. He's the same weight as my daughter who received the "baby" dosage with no mercury but I guess at his age he gets the "adult" dosage. I've obviously heard both sides of the story - shots are OK no side affects to shots are bad and cause autism. My son  is a pretty healthy kid but now that he's in preschool, I worry that he will be exposed more to the flu. Does the immunization make sense? I'm torn.

Thanks.

HK, Bellingham, MA

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Dear Dr. Gwenn:

I have a 10 month old baby boy. Should the he get a flu shot?  What about me and my husband? I’m pregnant and due in January and also a teacher. My husband is an architect. Are we at risk? I called my pediatrician’s office and the secretary said it was up to the parent. What are your thoughts? 

Thanks for your input.

AC, Medfield, MA

These questions cover the gamut of concerns families have with the flu vaccine, and vaccines in general.  It is a simple risk assessment that will help you determine if your kids and you need the flu shot this year.  According to the CDC, these groups of people are high risk and should get the flu shot:

1. Children aged 6–59 months
2. Pregnant women
3. People 50 years of age and older
4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
5. People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities
6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu:
   • Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu (see list above)
   • Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
   • Healthcare workers

By these criteria, all the kids and most of the adults in both questions should get the flu shot this year.  Keep in mind that even if parents are healthy, they could pass on the flu to their children. By vaccinating the parents, that is another line of defense for the kids. The same reasoning applies to vaccinating parents whose children will be born during the flu season. 

Finally, first mom's concerns about mercury dangers and autism risks are common among parents despite patient education campaigns and web information on both the CDC and AAP web sites that aim to educate consumers about the safety facts of vaccines. The bottom line is kids do not get autism from shots nor do they get mercury poisoned by thimerosol used sparingly as a preservative for the vaccines.  It will take some more work to really convince all parents about this but rest assured we would not promote immunizations if they had the problems some people want to belive they have.

Here are some links for more information:

Mercury and Thimerosol Information

Autism and Vaccines Information

Influenza can be very, very strong and young children and older adults are particularly susceptible to getting the flu and having complications from it.   So, it is the best interests of our families, and each others families, to make sure we are immunized against the flu as soon as possible so we are well protected before the flu season gains too much strength.

You can find more information on the flu illness itself on the Pediatrics Now Flu Information Guide.